Identity in a Fallen World

2026 DEFENDERS CONFERENCE

April 10-11 | Church of the Resurrection | Wheaton, Illinois

When you meet someone new, how do you describe yourself? Do you think first of your political affiliation, race, gender, denomination, or something else?

In America today, questions of identity are heated and relevant:

  • The “culture wars” over race, gender, and sex are found in elementary schools.
  • Christians passionately participate in tribalistic, partisan politics, dividing neighbors against each other.
  • Followers of Jesus struggle to identify as Christian when they encounter pastors who harm their flocks for money, power, or pleasure.

What makes the Christian story appealing in a context where it is hard to understand the nature of our very selves? 

Join us for the Defenders Conference 2026 as Dr. J and his friends give guidance to issues of identity, and strive to answer the question “Who are you in light of Jesus?”

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Matthew Bates

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George Yancey

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Mary Jo Sharp

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Kurt Jaros

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Mikel Del Rosario

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SCHEDULE

Friday, April 10

5:00pm | Registration Opens 

6:45pm | Kurt Jaros
The Role of Apologetics in Social Identity

7:00pm |
Plenary | Mary Jo Sharp
Why I Still Believe: Three Mindsets I Discovered in Doubt

8:00pm | Breakout I

  • Identity Track | Room in the Great Hall: Identity and Denominational Belonging | Sean Luke
  • Apologetics Track | Recovering the Gospel’s Lost Purpose | Matthew W. Bates

Saturday, April 11

9:00am | Morning Prayer

9:30am | Plenary | George Yancey
The Christian and Identity Politics

10:30am |
Coffee Break
11:00am | Breakout II

  • Identity Tack | What is a Woman | Sophia Luke
  • Apologetics Track | Loved And Valued: The Gospel, Confusion, and Evil | Patti Tilton

11:45pm | Lunch break
1:15pm | Plenary | Mikel Del Rosario
Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? Why You Can Trust His Claims—and Ground Your Identity in Christ
2:15pm | Breakout III

  • Identity Track | Everyone is an Apologist | Kurt Jaros
  • Apologetics Track | Imagination Stations: Attuning Apologetics to Modern Imaginaries | John Szott

3:00pm | Coffee Break

3:15pm |
Plenary | Matthew Bates
Allegiance Matters
4:30pm | Panel
5:30pm | Closing Announcements

Pricing

Student

$55

(Through April 3rd)

General Registration

$100

(Through April 3rd)

After April 3rd

$135 

($75 for students)

Volunteers are needed, and attend for free! Email sophia@defendersmedia.com to learn more. 

A very special thank you to our sponsors: